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FARMLAND: GMOs and Organic Agriculture

Grade Level(s)

Estimated Time

Purpose

Students will use the film FARMLAND to gain a basic understanding of genetically engineered crops and compare conventional and organic farming practices.

Materials

FARMLAND documentary, short version, clip from 12:45-23:40

This documentary is available for purchase in DVD format from Walmart or Amazon. It is also available for online streaming from Amazon Prime, iTunes, Netflix, YouTube, and more. The film is available in the full documentary format (77 minutes) or the short, education version lasting 44 minutes. The time stamp indicated for the lesson corresponds to the 44-minute educational version.

Essential Files (maps, charts, pictures, or documents)

Vocabulary

GMO: genetically modified organism; an organism whose genome has been altered by the techniques of genetic engineering so that its DNA contains one or more genes not normally found there

biotechnology: the use of living cells, bacteria, etc. to make useful products or the process of intentionally making a copy of a gene for a desired trait from one plant or organism and using it in another plant

genetic engineering: the deliberate modification of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material

organic farming: USDA regulated farming without the use of synthetic pesticides, artificial growth hormones, or antibiotics

transgenic: an organism that contains genetic material into which DNA of an unrelated organism has been artificially introduced

Did you know? (Ag Facts)

88% of scientists believe that GMOs are safe to eat.3

89% of U.S. corn produced is GMO.4

94% of U.S. soybeans produced are GMO.4

There are 18,513 certified organic farms and business in the United States.5

Background Agricultural Connections

Biotechnology plays a huge role in agriculture. Many farmers across the U.S. choose to plant GMO crops every year, while others choose to plant non-GMO crops and grow them according to set standards so that they can be labeled as "organic."

GMOs provide several benefits to farmers. Some GMOs can help reduce the number of overall pesticides used to produce a crop because the seeds have the ability to defend themselves from some pests. Other GMO crops are resistant to herbicides, so a herbicide (weed-killer) can be sprayed in a field to kill weeds without damaging the crops. Other GMO crops are resistant to specific plant diseases. For example, Papaya has been genetically engineered to resist a very damaging disease that nearly destroyed the Hawaiian papaya industry. On the whole, GMO crops are higher-yielding because there is less crop loss due to plant disease, pests, and weeds.

There are also consumer benefits to GMOs. A potato has been genetically engineered to produce less of a potential carcinogen when fried and to resist bruising. An apple has been genetically engineered not to turn brown after it has been cut open. Both of these reduce food waste, and provide benefits to the consumer.

As of December 2015, there are ten crops that have GMO varieties on the market: corn, soybeans, canola, alfalfa, cotton, papaya, sugar beets, potatoes, apples, and squash. GMO crops first became available in 1994. Scientists and the majority of health organizations around the world agree that GMO crops are safe for human and animal consumption.1 For additional information regarding the safety of consuming GMO food crops, see the following:

Some farmers choose not to raise GMO crops, and therefore do not receive the benefits of the GMO varieties. However, they often receive a premium from buyers for the organic product. This premium helps to balance out the costs of crop protectants and the opportunity cost of a lower yield since disease, pests, and weeds cannot be controlled as easily under organic growing conditions.

Organic farmers are not allowed to use GMO crops, and are also barred from using synthetic chemicals. They are, however, allowed to use natural sources of fertilizer and pesticides. Farmers who farm organically also receive a premium for their products. According to the USDA, organic foods are neither safer nor more nutritious than their conventional counterparts. The organic program is regulated by the USDA, and any product labeled organic must be USDA certified. The USDA regulates how organic food is grown, handled and processed.

Organic farmers use tillage and crop rotation to control weeds and insects, along with some USDA organic-approved chemicals. They often use animal manure to fertilize fields. Organically farmed livestock must be fed organic feed and have access to the outdoors. They can’t be treated with antibiotics or given growth hormones. Organic land must be farmed organically for three years before it can be certified organic at which time the products off of it can receive the USDA certified organic label and the associated premiums.

Interest Approach – Engagement

Administer the GMOs and Organic Agriculture Pretest to the students without discussing the topics of GMOs or organic vs. conventional food production.

Allow students to answer the quiz questions based on their own prior knowledge.

Review questions as an entire class, and create a KWL Chart. Have students write what they know about GMOs and organic agriculture in one column, what they want to know in the next, and then at the end of the lessons have them complete the last column with what they have learned.

Vocabulary surrounding biotechnology can be very confusing. Work through the definitions of GMO, genetic engineering, transgenic and biotechnology found in the Vocabulary section.

Genetic engineering allows scientists to transfer genes from one species to another for crop improvements such as longer shelf life, insect or disease resistance, or added nutrition.

GMOs are heavily tested before reaching the market – in fact, they are tested far more than conventionally bred foods. It takes 13 years for a GMO to make it to the market. GMOs are tested for nutrient composition, non-nutrient composition and potential presence of allergens.

GMOs are grown, used or imported to 70 different countries.

The U.S. is the world’s largest grower of GMOs.

Ask students if they believe they have ever eaten a GMO and facilitate a class discussion on the prevalence of GMO foods.

Some students may believe they have not, but most processed foods contain corn or soybeans, which may have been processed from a GM seed. Some examples of processed foods containing corn or soy would be soda, most candy, cookies, soups, and granola bars. Ask students to support their answers with prior knowledge (i.e., ‘my family only eats organic food,’ ‘I know that most produce is not genetically modified,’ etc.). The most focus should be on the reasoning and prior knowledge of the students, and what conclusions they can draw from the information given. At the end of the discussion, reveal to students that there are only nine commercially available genetically engineered crops, with apples soon to join the list. Chances are that all the students in the class have eaten GMOs, even if they didn’t know it.

Play the clip from the movie FARMLAND. Ask students to take careful notes on the various farmers’ thoughts on chemicals, GMOs, and organic production.

Have students create a “tug of war” with the information from the film. Have them identify factors that “pull” either side of the dilemma, and then “tugs” or reasons to support either side of the dilemma. This can be done by writing the pulls on either side of a white board, and having students use sticky notes to write down their tugs and stick them to the tugs. Then, some discussion questions could include:

Why do you think the public perception of GMOs is such a challenge for the agriculture industry?

Which farmer do you agree with the most?

What are the farmers’ reasons for growing GMO crops?

Do the farmers reassure you of the safety of genetically engineered crops?

What are some of the benefits of biotechnology the farmers discuss?

If you were a farmer, do you think you would grow GMO crops?

Introduce the idea of organic farming to students. Begin by asking if students are familiar with the term and what they think it implies about the food products.

Introduce the following farm scenarios to students, and have them answer the associated questions using their newly gained background knowledge.

Leighton is considering expanding his business to earn more money. He knows that organic farmers receive a higher price for their crops, but also knows that he must farm organically for 3 years before he can become certified organic and receive the premium. Still, he is interested and comparing the pros and cons of organic and conventional farming. What are the pros and cons of organic farming? What are the pros and cons of conventional farming?

Margaret is looking for new ways to market her products. She is told by a marketing company that if she labels her produce “non-GMO” consumers may be more inclined to buy it. Based on Margaret’s comments in the movie clip and your knowledge of GMOs, what do you think she would do in this situation?

Sutton, the organic farmer in the movie, receives a relatively large premium for his organic onions compared to conventional onion farmers. However, a new onion virus is coming through California, where he farms. There is a new GMO onion that is resistant to the virus that will be coming onto the market soon. It works similarly to the GMO papaya.

Is Sutton allowed to raise the new GMO onion and sell it as organic?

What are some pros and cons of this situation?

If you were Sutton, how would you handle this situation?

Have students return their focus to the practice test or KWL Chart they worked on at the beginning of the lesson, and give them 5 minutes to work in pairs and correct their quizzes. Then, read them the correct answers. How many questions did they get right? What were some of the most commonly missed questions? Were students surprised by any of the answers to the questions? Is there anything they still have questions about?

Concept Elaboration and Evaluation

After conducting these activities review and summarize the following key concepts:

Biotechnology can be used to develop plants with unique genetics which make them resistant to specific diseases, pests, or herbicides.

Foods labeled with the green and white "USDA Organic" label were produced under specific guidelines regulating the use of chemicals to control pests or weeds and the types of fertilizer that can be used. GMO seeds cannot be used in organic food production.

In "conventional" food production farmers are allowed to use herbicides, pesticides, and synthetic fertilizers. They may also utilize the benefits of GM seed varieties.

Farmers choose what type of production system (conventional or organic) their farm will be. Consumers can also choose to purchase food that was produced organically or conventionally.

We welcome your feedback! Please take a minute to tell us how to make this lesson better or to give us a few gold stars!

Enriching Activities

Have students create scientific brochures about GMOs. Rate them on the factuality of the information and creativity.

Have students write a position paper on conventional vs. organic farming. Have students choose either organic or conventional agriculture, research the topic, and write about the most significant benefits and concerns of either practice.

Allow students to explore the controversy surrounding the debate on GMOs. Have one side of the class represent a pro-GMO group and the other represent a group that is more cautious of the technology. Have students research their arguments, cite their sources and discern between biased and unbiased information. Students should be able to acknowledge the conflicting information about GMOs and the benefits and risks of the technology by the end of the debate.

Have students with strong science backgrounds identify current problems in agriculture (nutrient deficiencies, fertilizer runoff, food waste, etc.), a possible transgenic solution to that problem, and the global impact of the solution. For example: o Humans waste a huge amounts of potatoes because they have black bruises on them. The solution to this problem is a GMO potato that doesn’t brown, and that means much less waste all over the globe. o Corn requires high amounts of nitrogen, and it cannot fix its own nitrogen like soybeans, with their root nodules and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, can. Farmers have to apply large amounts of nitrogen to the fields to produce quality corn, but the nitrogen can runoff and is damaging to the environment. The solution is to create a GMO corn plant that can produce nodules and sustain the nitrogen-fixing bacteria to stop nitrogen runoff, prevent further damage to the environment and save farmers thousands of dollars on fertilizers.

Watch The Journey to Harvest (3:01 mins) and learn about the 20-year journey of the Arctic Apple®. As a class discuss how arctic apples could decrease food waste and other consumer benefits such as convenient packaging and nutrition. Visit the Arctic Apple® website for more information.

To demystify the science concerning molecular biology and genetics consider conducting "hands-on" experiments with PCR tools. The technique is used by scientists in agriculture, medicine, and criminal justice (to name a few). MiniPCR provides inexpensive hardware, software, and classroom tested curriculum resources for a deep dive into DNA. Other PCR machine options maybe found with a Google search.

Evaluate evidence for differing points of view on topics related to agricultural production, processing, and marketing (e.g., over-grazing and loss of plant species diversity; monocultures contributing to genetic vulnerability; use of fertilizers and pesticides increase crop production but may contaminate water sources; creating open space; farmland preservation; animal welfare practices; immigration issues; world hunger) (T2.9-12.d)

Science, Technology, Engineering & Math

Evaluate the benefits and concerns related to the application of technology to agricultural systems (e.g., biotechnology) (T4.9-12.d)

Identify current and emerging scientific discoveries and technologies and their possible use in agriculture (e.g., biotechnology, bio-chemical, mechanical, etc.) (T4.9-12.e)